Netanyahu: A Unity Government Is a Necessity

In depth

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the establishment of a national unity government including the Zionist parties and the national camp, and warned against swearing in a new government in the coming week. Netanyahu published a video message on Friday evening, ahead of the mandate to form a government for the 26th Knesset. "This is a time for unity," he said.

According to him, a government relying on factors that support terrorism will not be able to confront the Iranian threat, and he warned that such a government would endanger the country's security and its Jewish character. "With such a government, Israel simply will not survive," Netanyahu said. According to him, forming a new government in haste would endanger the country, and therefore unity is needed.

Netanyahu called for a broad government that would also include the Haredi parties and all the Zionist parties, and said that the Likud under his leadership received the most votes and therefore the largest party should lead the government. "I don't reject anyone and no one should reject anyone. Enough with the boycotts," he said in the video. Meanwhile, Yesh Atid chairman Eisenkot responded that whoever wishes to join must agree to his principles.